Acute care gem

Acute care gem

My octogenarian dad recently suffered a series of serious medical issues and was admitted to the Acute Care for the Elderly unit on the sixth floor of Anne Arundel Medical Center.

I would like the community know what a gem we have here in Annapolis, providing medical care for our elderly family members.

The staff on the ACE unit were friendly, attentive, and highly skilled - from the nurses to the technicians to the doctors.

We felt so well cared for while we were there for over a week, and feel very lucky to have this great resource right here in Annapolis.

SALLY VANZANDT

Annapolis

Forest conservation

I am writing in hopes to encourage the passing of Bill 68-19, which if passed, will mitigate the damage of Anne Arundel County Forest in the seemingly continuous development of the area.

This bill will not only encourage developers to be more flexible with their design plans (ie. redeveloping aging properties vs. clearing forest for new builds), it will also incentive increased forest conservation for projects going forward through increasing replanting standards, as well as fees/fines for cutting violations.

Anne Arundel County is leading state as being the county with the most forest land being destroyed each year. This has a huge impact on the community, as such circumstances lead to flooding and loss of neighborhood character that can come with development on nearby woodlands. This bill is an effective response to major forest losses that risk our county's waterways and quality of life, and will assist in the continuation of the immeasurable benefits of our local forest.

I feel confident that the county can accommodate development without sacrificing the air we breathe, the water we drink or our quality of life. Trees are an unmatched and lasting investment in our health, environment, and property values.

I truly hope that you will consider the benefits of Bill #68-19 to protect those things that make Anne Arundel County such a special place.

Thank you in advance for your time and attention to this matter.

REBEKAH McWAIN

Crownsville

Bay Bridge backups

The backups at the Bay Bridge that could be relieved by the electronic toll collection system in place at the Intercounty connector almost certainly exist intentionally to build up demand for the third bridge and to eliminate opposition to it.

I am surprised that Anne Arundel County officials do not realize it, or perhaps they do but complain about it to look good to the voters.

ANITA HEYGSTER

Pasadena

Achievement gap

I read about the achievement gap (The Capital, Sept. 23). There is no need to waste time or money studying this issue.

However, if county officials decide to proceed as I am sure they will, Asian community leaders should demand that the county and state waste the same amount of money studying the achievement gap and discrimination that Asians experience in sports. Why are there so few Asian football and basketball players?

This is especially important at the national level where players make outrageous salaries. Sports teams (billion-dollar corporations) should be forced to hire people that are not qualified just like any other company is forced to do.

The alternative is freedom; let everyone fail or succeed as they will. Their outcome in life is due to their behavior and their parents are the biggest factor in that. The Bible says it best; you will reap what you sow.

JAMES SCHNEIDER

Edgewater